Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-CMERI conducts first ever Skill Development Programme on Management of Municipal Solid Waste
Kolkata, 13th February, 2021
Durgapur based CSIR’s organization CMERI organized a training programme on "Management of Municipal Solid Waste" to train the youth with special emphasis on "Mechanized Segregation System for fresh-waste and legacy-waste". The three day Hands on training program was conducted during Feb 11-13, 2021 at the Institute wherein students from South Bihar Central University, Gaya, Bihar participated .
During the concluding session of the programme while addressing to the participants Prof. Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI stated that India produces huge quantity of waste annually, which occupies a large chunk of limited land, and contributes to severe contamination and environment pollution. The best way to manage such waste is to involve public and encourage a more decentralized approach. Usually the topic of Waste Management with limited science is taught at various colleges/university, but it lacks demonstration of any "real time practice". Under this programme, 17 students were able to get hands-on training on municipal-solid-waste-processing machines, which are designed, developed and integrated at CSIR-CMERI residential campus. The students could freely discuss the various maintenance aspects directly with the concerned CSIR-CMERI scientists and technical personnel.
During the programme, participating students revealed that they were made aware of the environmental impact of waste, and there was enthusiasm and interest in learning approaches for a safe and sustainable waste management including "management of C&D waste" and "processing of horticulture waste, plastic, household waste" amongst them. The value added products such as "Bricks", "Chips for construction", "Two types  of briquettes", "Biogas", "Bio-compost" and "Liquid fuels from plastics" with appropriate applications in practice were demonstrated efficiently. The concept of ‘Circular Economy’ by optimizing resource ‘loops’ into waste management systems was also highlighted during the programme. The students also shared their ideas and views towards implementation of the technology at mass level and particularly at small cities.Prof. Hirani also handed over the certificates to the students participating in the said skill development programme.
The personnel from media enquired about the various technologies developed by CSIR-CMERI for its commercialization and implementation at the grass root level. Prof. Hirani expressed that we are working relentlessly for the science & technology and applying the basic engineering principles to make our campus a sustainable Zero Waste, Eco Campus with implementation of Smart Lighting, Smart Parking, Bio Gas, Municipal Solid Waste Management etc. He also discussed how our Ludhiana campus has reduced its dependency on supply of electricity through its own mini grid and expected for implementation of the technology at Durgapur campus also shortly. The Institute has also started for developing skill in all these areas for promoting entrepreneurship and working towards diesel and other import substitution thereby making the nation Atmanirbhar in real sense. As media also has a very vital role in spreading the awareness of such technologies to the masses, Prof. Hirani requested in this regard to the media for a co-operation in this regard with the Institute.